What Cybrexa Therapeutics does

Cybrexa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology biotechnology company founded in 2017 in New Haven, Connecticut, developing a novel class of tumor-targeting peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) therapeutics. The company's core technology is the proprietary alphalex platform, which uses pH-Low Insertion Peptides (pHLIP) developed at Yale University and the University of Rhode Island to selectively deliver highly potent anti-cancer agents directly into tumor cells by exploiting the acidic tumor microenvironment. Unlike antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that require specific surface antigen overexpression, alphalex enables antigen-independent tumor targeting, allowing broad applicability across solid tumor types regardless of antigen expression. The platform has demonstrated approximately 20X therapeutic index improvement over unconjugated payloads in GLP toxicology studies.

The company's lead candidate, CBX-12 (alphalex-exatecan), utilizes a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload and is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian cancer, with additional Phase 2 development planned in colorectal cancer in 2025. A second pipeline candidate, CBX-15 (alphalex-MMAE), uses a microtubule inhibitor payload and is expected to enter clinical trials in 2025. Phase 1 data demonstrated a 40% response rate in TOP1-naïve ovarian cancer patients and 43% in HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients across six tumor types evaluated. The company has raised over $47 million in total funding, including a $25 million Series B in March 2021 led by HighCape Capital.

Cybrexa operates a traditional clinical-stage biotechnology commercial model with no current product revenue. The company plans to commercialize through pharmaceutical partnerships, licensing arrangements, or direct sales upon regulatory approval. Clinical development is supported by a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Cancer Institute, enabling trials across multiple indications. The company serves oncology patients with advanced solid tumors and pharmaceutical partners seeking differentiated oncology assets, with a primary customer focus on patients whose tumors lack suitable antigen targets for ADC therapy.

Name

Cybrexa Therapeutics

Legal name

Cybrexa, Inc.

Website

https://cybrexa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cybrexa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology biotechnology company developing peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) therapeutics using its proprietary alphalex platform, which enables antigen-independent tumor targeting via pH-driven drug delivery for solid tumor patients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) & Antibody Conjugates (HLAAAAAE)

Keywords

• Peptide-drug conjugates
• Oncology therapeutics
• Tumor-targeting platform
• Clinical-stage biotechnology
• Cancer drug development

Headquarters

HQ city

New Haven

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic drug development and commercialization: Cybrexa is a clinical-stage biotech company developing a pipeline of PDC therapeutics (CBX-12, CBX-15) for oncology. Revenue will be generated through the commercialization of approved drugs, either directly or through licensing/pharmaceutical partnerships. The company has not yet generated product revenue as it is in clinical development stage.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cybrexa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology biotechnology company developing a pipeline of peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) therapeutics built on its proprietary alphalex™ platform. The alphalex platform uses pH-Low Insertion Peptides (pHLIP®) to selectively deliver highly potent anti-cancer payloads into tumor cells by exploiting the acidic tumor microenvironment, enabling antigen-independent tumor targeting. The lead clinical asset, CBX-12 (alphalex™-exatecan), delivers the topoisomerase I inhibitor exatecan and is currently in Phase 2 trials, with additional candidates including CBX-15 (alphalex™-MMAE) advancing toward the clinic.

Product overview

Cybrexa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology biotechnology company developing a novel class of tumor-targeting peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) therapeutics. The company's portfolio is built around its proprietary alphalex™ platform technology, which enables antigen-independent targeting of tumors through pH-driven drug delivery. The core product in development is CBX-12 (alphalex™-exatecan), a first-in-class PDC that delivers exatecan (a topoisomerase I inhibitor) directly to tumor cells. Additional pipeline candidates include CBX-15 (alphalex™-MMAE) using auristatin payload. The platform leverages pHLIP® peptides developed at Yale University to selectively target acidic tumor microenvironments, allowing intracellular drug delivery while sparing healthy tissue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• alphalex: A novel antigen-independent, peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) platform technology that enables targeted delivery of highly potent anti-cancer treatments by exploiting the acidic tumor microenvironment.

Products and services

• alphalex™ Platform Cybrexa's proprietary tumor-targeting peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) platform. alphalex combines a pH-Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP®), a linker, and a small-molecule anticancer payload. By exploiting the acidic tumor microenvironment, it enables antigen-independent, intracellular delivery of highly potent cytotoxic agents into solid tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. The platform is compatible with multiple payload classes including TOP1 inhibitors, microtubule inhibitors, maytansinoids, and PARP inhibitors, and supports combination regimens that have been previously limited by systemic toxicity.
• CBX-12 (alphalex™-exatecan) First-in-class peptide-drug conjugate utilizing the alphalex platform to deliver exatecan, a highly potent second-generation topoisomerase I inhibitor, directly into tumor cells via pH-driven targeting. In development for solid tumors including platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian cancer (Phase 2), HR+/HER2- breast cancer, NSCLC, colorectal cancer, thymic cancer, and gallbladder cancer. Phase 1 data showed a 40% response rate in TOP1-naïve ovarian cancer patients (N=10) and 43% in HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients (N=7), with a therapeutic index ~20X over unconjugated exatecan in GLP toxicology.
• CBX-15 (alphalex™-MMAE) Peptide-drug conjugate using alphalex technology with monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), a potent microtubule inhibitor, as the cytotoxic payload. Positioned for solid tumor indications with planned clinical entry in 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% response rate in TOP1-naïve ovarian cancer patients (N=10) in Phase 1 study
• +6 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2021Cybrexa entered a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the pre-clinical and clinical development of CBX-12 (alphalex-exatecan). The collaboration enables Cybrexa to conduct clinical trials across a wide range of indications and in combination with other therapies such as immuno-oncology and PARP inhibitors, leveraging NCI's network of leading oncology researchers. The partnership also includes a planned Phase 2 study of CBX-12 in colorectal cancer in 2025.
• Yale UniversitycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Yale University is the origin institution for Cybrexa's technology. The company was co-founded by Yale scientists Ranjit Bindra (MD, PhD) and Peter Glazer (MD, PhD), who co-developed the pHLIP technology at Yale. Cybrexa is a Yale spinout and sublicensee of pHLIP technology exclusively licensed to pHLIP, Inc. (developed at Yale and University of Rhode Island). Yale's involvement includes ongoing scientific collaboration through its scientists serving on Cybrexa's Scientific Advisory Board.
• pHLIP, Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017pHLIP, Inc. holds the exclusive license to pHLIP technology developed at Yale University and the University of Rhode Island. Cybrexa holds a sublicense to use pHLIP in its alphalex PDC platform. This technology licensing relationship is foundational to Cybrexa's entire technology platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca, in partnership with Daiichi Sankyo, leads the Enhertu franchise and is building a broad ADC pipeline targeting HER2, HER3, and other antigens. As a broad oncology incumbent, AstraZeneca represents both a key competitive threat and a potential strategic partner for Cybrexa's platform.
• Daiichi Sankyo: Daiichi Sankyo, together with AstraZeneca, commercializes Enhertu and Datroway — the leading ADCs in oncology. As the dominant incumbent in the ADC/TOP1-payload space that Cybrexa's CBX-12 directly targets, Daiichi Sankyo sets the competitive bar for clinical efficacy, safety, and commercial reach in the same patient populations.
• Pfizer (Seagen): Pfizer, through its Seagen acquisition, owns a leading ADC franchise including Padcev, Adcetris, and Tivdak. As a broad incumbent in targeted oncology, Pfizer is both a potential acquirer/partner for Cybrexa and a competitor in solid tumor ADC development.

Emerging players

• ProfoundBio: ProfoundBio develops antibody-drug conjugates and related targeted oncology therapies, including topoisomerase inhibitor payloads. Its TOP1-inhibitor ADC work overlaps directly with Cybrexa's CBX-12 (TOP1 payload) competitive set in solid tumors.
• Bolt Biotherapeutics: Bolt Biotherapeutics develops immune-stimulating antibody conjugates (ISACs) that combine tumor-targeted delivery with immune activation. The company's combination-focused approach to overcoming ADC toxicity mirrors Cybrexa's positioning around expanded therapeutic windows and combination regimens.
• Pyxis Oncology: Pyxis Oncology develops antibody-drug conjugates and immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers. It overlaps with Cybrexa in pursuing novel conjugate approaches for solid tumor indications where conventional ADCs face antigen-expression limitations.
• Tubulis: Tubulis is an emerging biotech developing next-generation ADCs with novel payloads and linkers. While using antibody-based targeting, Tubulis competes with Cybrexa in the broader mission of improving the therapeutic index of cytotoxic conjugates in solid tumors.
• Vincerx Pharma: Vincerx Pharma is developing next-generation targeted oncology therapeutics, including antibody-drug conjugates and small molecule-drug conjugates. Its small molecule-drug conjugate (SDC) program is conceptually adjacent to Cybrexa's peptide-drug conjugate approach for tumor-selective payload delivery.

Direct peers

• Bicycle Therapeutics: Bicycle Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company developing bicyclic peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), the closest direct analog to Cybrexa's alphalex platform. Both companies use peptide-based targeting (rather than antibodies) to deliver cytotoxic payloads to tumor cells, and both target solid tumor indications including those underserved by antigen-restricted ADCs.
• Mersana Therapeutics: Mersana develops next-generation antibody-drug conjugates and immunoconjugates for oncology. While Mersana uses antibody-based targeting rather than peptides, both companies compete to deliver cytotoxic payloads more selectively to tumors, and both are positioned as differentiated alternatives to first-generation ADCs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Cybrexa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cybrexa-therapeutics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors6 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cybrexa Therapeutics